blossom drop on tomatoes - Ask Extension
I have grown Mountain Merit tomatoes for years and this year I am having a large problem with Blossom Drop this year. I have Sun shade ( 50 Percent...
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blossom drop on tomatoes #874028
Asked June 21, 2024, 8:08 AM EDT
I have grown Mountain Merit tomatoes for years and this year I am having a large problem with Blossom Drop this year.
I have Sun shade ( 50 Percent Shade) over mt Tomatoes
I am using a Hydro Meter to monitor water Supply as well as shaking the limbs to encourage Pollen Drop
It has gotten hot early this year and we have had higher Humidity then usual ( I know that this is part of the problem)
I live in Rocky Point NC which is why I do all of this for my plants
I have had had up to 20 to 30 tomatoes on each plant in the past however this year i only have had 2 to 4 tomato's and over 20 blossoms that have dried up and dropped
Should i try a Pollen Set Spray or am i wasting my Time with the SO-Called Set Sprays from Lowes or my local garden centers
Please Advise me on what else I can Try
Pender County North Carolina
Expert Response
Hello David,
I feel your pain! Each year there seems to be something new that makes it harder to grow a good tomato.
You are right that the heat, (stress), is part of the problem. I also wonder if there is too much nitrogen in your soil.
When tomato plants bloom but fail to produce fruit, the flowers die and fall off. It is usually caused by stress, which can be nutritional, environmental, or a combination of both. The most common cause is temperature, as high or low temperatures can affect pollination and watering needs.
The first fix is shade which you are doing so my thought is that the soil nitrogen levels are high. Could this be a problem? If you have fertilized with nitrogen on the plant or any in the area I would suggest to discontinue. You can have your soil tested to make sure.
I am sending a publication form the University of Florida. It is very detailed but I think it will help you. Here is the link;
https://swfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/docs/pdf/veg-hort/tomato-institute/presentations/ti2011/ozores.pdf
Please let me know if you have any other questions and please accept my apology for the delayed reply.
Good luck!
I feel your pain! Each year there seems to be something new that makes it harder to grow a good tomato.
You are right that the heat, (stress), is part of the problem. I also wonder if there is too much nitrogen in your soil.
When tomato plants bloom but fail to produce fruit, the flowers die and fall off. It is usually caused by stress, which can be nutritional, environmental, or a combination of both. The most common cause is temperature, as high or low temperatures can affect pollination and watering needs.
The first fix is shade which you are doing so my thought is that the soil nitrogen levels are high. Could this be a problem? If you have fertilized with nitrogen on the plant or any in the area I would suggest to discontinue. You can have your soil tested to make sure.
I am sending a publication form the University of Florida. It is very detailed but I think it will help you. Here is the link;
https://swfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/docs/pdf/veg-hort/tomato-institute/presentations/ti2011/ozores.pdf
Please let me know if you have any other questions and please accept my apology for the delayed reply.
Good luck!
Thank you for your response
I only use Down to Earth Crab meal which has only a 4% Nitrogen and Down to Earth Langbeinite for Potassium I have used this for at least 10 years with great success.
One Plant has 14 fruits on them while the plant next to it only has 2 fruits
Today's temp will be 92 to 94 day night temp 78 to 80 (Ouch) I water one inch of water twice a week I also use a Hydrometer to check Moisture at the Root
I have also have been spraying a cool water mist on the flower buds Twice a Day to move the Pollen Down( Fla State Suggested this)
Which Fla Heat Resistant Tomato Plant would you Recommend to try to plant this fall I have planted Cherries for the last two fall Season And I would like to try a Mid Size Tomato
If you have any other Ideas, Please Please Let Me Know
On Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 08:38:02 AM EDT, Extension Foundation <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Thank you for your response
I only use Down to Earth Crab meal which has only a 4% Nitrogen and Down to Earth Langbeinite for Potassium I have used this for at least 10 years with great success.
One Plant has 14 fruits on them while the plant next to it only has 2 fruits
Today's temp will be 92 to 94 day night temp 78 to 80 (Ouch) I water one inch of water twice a week I also use a Hydrometer to check Moisture at the Root
I have also have been spraying a cool water mist on the flower buds Twice a Day to move the Pollen Down( Fla State Suggested this)
Which Fla Heat Resistant Tomato Plant would you Recommend to try to plant this fall I have planted Cherries for the last two fall Season And I would like to try a Mid Size Tomato
If you have any other Ideas, Please Please Let Me Know
On Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 08:38:02 AM EDT, Extension Foundation <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hello,
Here is a link to a site for G=Craig LeHoullier. He is an expert on growing tomatoes and does it here in North Carolina.
https://www.craiglehoullier.com/intro
I have heard him speak and read his book, (Epic Tomatoes, from the library) and it is great.
Try that and I think you will get some every good options. Lastly, I have learned that if you have a problem with birds eating your tomatoes, plant Zebra tomatoes. They don't turn red and are very nice to eat.
Good Luck!!!!
Here is a link to a site for G=Craig LeHoullier. He is an expert on growing tomatoes and does it here in North Carolina.
https://www.craiglehoullier.com/intro
I have heard him speak and read his book, (Epic Tomatoes, from the library) and it is great.
Try that and I think you will get some every good options. Lastly, I have learned that if you have a problem with birds eating your tomatoes, plant Zebra tomatoes. They don't turn red and are very nice to eat.
Good Luck!!!!
THANK YOU for your quick response.
I have contact with Craig
Smart Man Knows his tomatoes
I have Tested his Dwarf Tomatoes in the Coastal NC Region
I will also give him a Buzz
Dave
On Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 12:27:46 PM EDT, North Carolina State University <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Wow, you know him.
That’s great. Let him know the Wake County EMG group loves him.
Cheers!
That’s great. Let him know the Wake County EMG group loves him.
Cheers!
